Fuel control system



May 23, 1 939. DOWN J 2,159,785

FUEL CONTROL. SYS TEM Filed June :0, i937 INVENTOR SIDNEY E. DDWN ATTORNEY Patented May 23, 1939 "PATENT OFFICE FUEL CONTROLSYSTEM Sidney G. Down, Edgewood, l?a., assignorto The Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Wilmerding, Pin, a corporation of Pennsylvania V Application June30, 193-7, Serial No. 151,10!

,, i "6 Claims.

This inventionrelates to a fuel control system,

"and particularly to meansfor regulating the rate of-supp'ly of fuel to the furnace of a locomotive ,boiler. i i

i \As usually constructed locomotive boilers are 1 provided with fire boxes in which thecombustion ofthefueltakes place. The fire box'is'usually I arrangediat the rear of the boiler, and its upper I wall is-knownias the crown sheet. The lower'face f Of thECI'OWll sheet is exposedto the fire in the i ffire 'boxpwhilethe water in the boiler isnormalf the crown sheet is covered to thereby prevent sweating 0f the crown sheet and resultant'in- 115 jury thereto; M i i H Becauseof the hi'ghoperatingsp'eeds now employedvery effective braking is required and results in high rates of deceleration of the train iand 'ofthe locomotive. on a reduction in the u speed of a locomotive,=the"force of inertia actin ion the water'in the locomotive boiler-causes the i b t u'c't nfthe speed of the locomotive" at, a predetermined rate, to restrict therate of supply 1 sestm 'er "the crown-sheet ofthe locomotive 4o il r; a d f n e un ni ther A f, rther object of theinvjention'is to provide fuel control "system of the type described, and incorporating a control member movable between aced positions'for varying the rateo'f supply of -45 fu'el o aj furnace,tcgther with means responsive 3 jto the rate of retardation of thelocomotivefor moving thecontrol member tdthe'fposition in which i't restricts the rate of supply of fuelfto a El control system of 'the typey described, and

normally movable throughout its range of move} m'e'nt without "interference by the means "rep nswe w retardation, but wnicn 'isalso ly maintained at such a level that the upperface tive iiiredfwith fluid fuelysuch as fuel oil, and

tingmeans automatically operated on a.

"other bjec or the invention is to provide which is arranged so" that the 'controlmember is ranged so that when the'retardation responsive meansis actuated, it will move the control member to limitthe rate of supply of fuel to the furnace 'irrespective, of the position which the control memberoccupies.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide an improved fuel control system for the furnace of a locomotive boilerl 7 Other objects of the invention and features of novelty will be apparent from the following de- 6 scription taken inconnectiOn with the accompanying drawing,in-whi ch,i e i Fig. "1 ma "fragmentary diagrammatic view, largely in section, o'fa fuel control system em- 'bodying my invention, and w Fig, 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of a fuel supply'system with which the control system 1 provided by my invention maybe employed. r

Referringto'the drawing, the control system 1 provided by this invention incorporates means responsive to the rate of retardation-of the locomotive for controlling the rate ofsupply of'fuel to the furnacerof the locomotive boiler. This H control systemis shown in connection with one form of fuel "supply systemjfor the furnace of a locomotive boiler. Only ajportionofthe fuel supply system is shown in the, drawing, and the complete system is ,shiownland, claimed inUl S. Patent'No. 1,295,077, issued February 18, 1919, to Carlton D. Stewart and myself, and in .our 'Reissue' PatentNo. 15,9 l2, issued November 11,1924. The fuel supply systemshownin the drawing comprises a valve'device i dicated generally by h the reference numeral i'forregulating the supply of'liquid fuel, such as oil,to the furnace of a locomotive boileryand: for also regulatingthe supply of steam for atomizingthe oil, -while.a regulating or controldevice 2 is providedfor regulatab ingthe-valve device LtdvaryWtherate of supply of fuelflto the furnace. e i

Asshown-in the drawing, the valvedevice 1 comprises a body having a =valve 'chamber =-5 formed therein to which is connected a pipe 6 through 'whichfluid: fuel, such i'asi'fuel oil, is supvplied under pressure by suitable means, not :shown. A slidevalve 'lismounted in the valve chamber 5 to controlthe: supply of'fueltfrom the valve chamber ithrough a'passage B to which-is \5 connected a pipe I0 leading to a burner in the furnace for the locomotive boiler. r A

L The slide valve! is actuated by means-ofa' rod '12 which-extends through an openinginthewall '"of' thewalve chamber 5, while this opening is 56 sealed by means of packing I4 which is held in place by a gland I5 and a pack nut I6.

The body of the valve device I has a chamber I8 formed therein to which is connected a pipe 20 leading from a source of steam. A slide valve 22 is mounted in the valve chamber I8 and controls the supply of steam from the valve chamber I8 to a passage 23 to whichis connected a pipe 24 leading tothe burner to which the pipe I is connected.

The slide valve 22 is operated by means of a rod 25 which extends through a wall of the valve chamber I8, while the opening through which the rod 25 extends is sealed by suitable packing held in place by a gland 26 and a pack nut 21.

The rods I2 and 25 for operating the slide valves 1 and 22, respectively, are pivotally connected to a lever 30 which is movable about an axis determined by a pin 3|. The pin 3| is movable by a rod 32, as explained in the above identified patents, while the lever 3|] has one end of a link 34 connected thereto for operating a damper, not shown, for the furnace.

The control device 2 comprises a body 36 having pivotally supported thereon by means of a pin 38 a control member in the form of a lever 46. An extension of the rod I2 of the valve device I is secured to an arm of the lever 40 by means of a pin 4|, while the lever 40 has a handle portion, indicated at 42, adapted to be grasped by the hand of an operator for moving thelever 46 throughout its range of movement.

The control device 2 has associated therewith means responsive to the pressure of the steam in the boiler of the furnace for moving the control member 40. This means comprises a piston, not shown, which is subject on one face to the steam in the boiler of the locomotive, and is subject on the other face to the force exerted by a coil spring 44 which extends between the piston and an adjustable spring seat 45 carried by the body 36.. The piston above referred to has a stem 46 which is pivotally connected to the lever 40 by means of a pin 48. On an increase in the pressure of the steam in the boiler, the piston and piston rod 46 are moved against the spring '44, and move the lever 40 in' a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1 of the drawing, and on this movement of the lever 46, the valve device I is conditioned to reduce the rate of supply of fuel to the furnace-of the boiler.

The fuel control system provided by this invention has means operated on a predetermined increase in the rate of retardation of the locomotive to move the controlmember 46 to a position to condition the valve device .I to supply fuel to the furnace of the locomotive boiler only at a predetermined restricted rate. 7

As shown in the drawing, the body 36 of the control device'Z has aportion having a bore therein in which is mounted a piston which is subject to the opposing pressures of the fluid in a chamber 5|, and of a coil spring 53 mounted in a chamber 54 which is constantly open to the atmosphere by way of a passage 55.

The piston 50 has a stem 56 formed integral therewith and extending through a bore in the wall of. chamber 54, whilethe end of the stem 56 has a slot5B formed therein through which extends a pin 59 carried by the, lower end of the rod 56 and the other parts of the apparatus are arranged and proportioned so that when the piston 56 is in engagement with the projection 60, the lever 46 may be moved throughout its entire range of movement without moving the pin 59 beyond the limits of the slot 58 in the rod 56. The lever 46, therefore, may be moved freely without interference by the means responsive to retardation of the locomotive.

The system provided by this invention incorporates means responsive to the rate of retardation of the locomotive for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to and the release of fluid under pressure from the chamber 5| at the face of the piston 50.

As shown there is a casing 65 which is secured on any suitable partof the locomotive, and has pivotally supported thereon rollers 66 which support a weighted body 61. The casing 65 is mounted on the locomotive in such a manner that the weighted body 61 is movable in a plane extending in the direction in which the locomotive moves, while it is also arranged on the locomotive so that on a reduction in the speed of the locomotive, the force of inertia operating upon the weighted body 61 moves it to the left, as viewed in Fig. l of the drawing.

The casing 65 has pivotally supported thereon by means of a pin 68 a lever 69, one end of which carries a roller which is engaged by theweighted body 61, while the other end thereof carries a roller which is engaged by an end of the stem of a valve I0.

The valve I0 has a seating face adapted to engage a seat surrounding a passage connecting means of a coil spring I8 which is mounted in the chamber I5, and when the valve I4 is held in the seated position, it holds the valve III in the open position to permit communication between the chamber 12 and the atmosphere.

The valve device I and the control device 2 are shown in the drawing in the position to permit the supply of fuel to the furnace of the locomotive boiler substantially at the maximum rate, while the means responsive to the retardation of the locomotive is shown in the position which it assumes when the speed of the locomotive is notbeing reduced at a high rate.

As a result ofthe supply of fuel to the furnace of the locomotive boiler, the pressure of the steam in the boiler may increase. If there is suchan increase in the pressure of the steam in the boiler, the piston secured on the piston stem 46 will move against the spring 44, and

its movement will be transmitted through the stem46 to movethe lever 40 in a clockwise direction about the pin 38, while the pin 59 will be moved in the slot 58 in the piston rod 56.

On movement of the lever 40 in this direction, the rod I2 is movedupwardly and moves the slidevalve 'I' of the valve device I in the direction to restrict the rate of supply of fuel from the chamber 5 to the passage 8, and thus to the burner of the furnace of the locomotive boiler.

.On {this movement of the rod I2, the lever;30

j,fi$,, zH3-O.V8,d and its movement is transmitted tnrou hlthe rod 25to the slide valve 22 to move .in adirection to restrict the rate of supply 3 ;,of* steamwfrom the chamber l8 to the pipe 24 leading to the furnace burner.

. 10 steam in the boiler will be maintained substantially: at the desired pressure.

1f; .at-this time the locomotive is moving along thetrack and there is a moderate application 50f the brakes, the speed of the locomotive will he reduced, but the force of inertia operating upon, the water in the boilerjof the locomotive "will not ?be :great enough to cause the water to -zsimoverrelative to the locomotive boiler to uncover wthegcrown sheet of thefurnace fire box. Accordmo ingly there is no danger of injury to the crown fisheet; even if the boiler continues to be supplied withsfuelzat a'relatively-rapidrate.

l l. moderate application of the brakes on the locomotive; the force of inertia operatregion the weighted body 61 is insufiioient to cause-this body to move the lever 1,69 and thereby move-the valves 10 and 14 against the spring 518;: Accordingly, the chamber will remain flconnected to the atmosphere, while the piston .killmwill be maintained by the spring 53 in enygagement with the projection 60. i e 1.. It will be seen, therefore, that upon a moderlate; application of the brakes, and a correspond- .ei'n rreduction in the speed of the locomotive at a .zgprmoderateira'te, that the rate of supply of fuel to the furnace for the locomotive boileris not i alteredbyoperation of the means responsive to ythe retardation of the locomotive. However, at this time the rate of retardationof the locomo- -.40 tive is insufficient to cause movement-of the Water :in the boiler to uncover the crown sheet, and, accordingly, there is no need for reducing --the\rateofsupplyof fuel to the furnace. however, at a time when the locomotive is :mOYing along atrack there is a relatively heavy application of the:brakes on the locomotive, the speed of the locomotive will be reduced at a rapid rateaandthe water in the boiler of the locomotive-maybe caused to move forward in the boiler so as to uncover the crown sheet. jrOn. a reduction in the speed of the locomotive mata rapid rate, the force of inertiaoperating upon the weighted body .61 causes this body to move upon the rollers 65, and topress upon the as end or the lever 69 to move it about the pin ea so that the otherend of the lever 69 presses upon the end of the stem of the valve and moves the valve 10 to the seated position, while the valve 14 is moved to the open position against 60 the spring 18.

On movement of the valve I4 to the open position fluid under pressure flows from the reservoir TI to the chamber 12, and thence by way of the pipe 13 to the chamber 5| to increase the e5 pressure of the fluid in this chamber.

, i On an increase in the pressure of the fluid in the chamber 5|, the piston 50 is moved against the spring 53, while the piston stem 56 is moved until an end of the slot 58 engages the pin 59, 705 and upon further. movement of the piston 50 and the stem 56 force is exerted through the pin 59 to move the lever 40 about the pin 38 Iinthe direction to condition the valve device i l f todreduce the rate of supply of fuel to the furi75 nace for the boiler of the locomotive. On this movement of the lever 40, the piston rod 46 and the piston secured thereon are moved against the spring 44. l I

The stem 56 on the piston 50"has a shoulder indicated at 51 formed thereon and adapted-to engage the end wall of the chamber .54 when the piston 50 has been moved against the spring 53 a distance far enough to move the lever 40 in a clockwise direction about the pin 38 sub- .stantially to the end of its range of movementrqo When the lever. has been moved to this position, it conditions the valve device I to supply fuel to the burner of the locomotive furnace only at a predetermined relatively slow rate, and this rate is such that the fire in the furnace fire box will not be large enough to cause injury to the crown sheet if at this time the crown sheet is not covered with water.

The various parts of the means responsive to retardation are arranged and proportioned se m that. this means. is operable to reduce the rate of supply of fuel to the furnace on a reduction in the speed of the locomotive at a rate somewhat less rapidthan will cause the water in the in the boiler of the locomotive, and this water 5315 will equalize throughout the boiler and the crown sheet will again be covered with water. In addition, therewill be a similar reduction in the force (of inertia operating upon the Weighted body '61, and this body will not be ablet40 to maintain the .valve 14 in the Lopen position againstthe spring 18. The spring 18, therefore.

will expand and will move the valve 14 to the seated position to out ofi the supply of fluid under pressure from the reservoir 1'! to the pipe 13 leading to the chamber-5i, while the valve 10 will 'be moved to the open position to release fluid under pressure from the chamber 12. On this release of fluid under pressure from the chamber 12 there is a reduction in the force exerted upon the piston 50, and the spring 53 thereuponexpands and moves the piston 50 into engagement with the projection 60, thereby re'- lieving theforce exerted by the piston 50 through the stem 56 and thepin 59 upon the lever 40, andpermitting the lever .40 to .be returned by l the spring 44 to the position. determined by the means responsive to the pressure of the steam in the boiler. On this movement of the lever 40. the valve means I is conditioned to supply fuel 80 to the furnace for the boiler of the locomotive at a more rapid rate. As the water in the boiler again covers the crown sheet of the boiler there is no danger of injury to the crown sheet as a result of the rapid supply of fuel to the furnace 5 for the boiler.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the fuel control system provided by my invention provides means operative upon a predetermined increase in the rate of retardation of the 1000 motive to reduce the rate of supply of fuel to the furnace for the locomotive boiler to thereby prevent injury to the crown sheet of the locomotive 'fire box, which might result if fuel is supplied to the furnace of the locomotive at a rapid rate at a time when the crown sheet is not covered with water.

It will be seen also that the control system provided by this invention is arranged so that during normal operation of the locomotive, the system does not interfere with or affect in any manner the operation of the means for supplying fuel to the furnace of the locomotive boiler.

While one embodiment of the improved control system provided by my invention has been illustrated and described in detail, and has been shown in connection with one form of means for supplying fuel to the furnace of a locomotive boiler, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to these details of construction, nor is it limited to use in connection with the fuel supply means shown, but that numerous changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

Having now described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a fuel supply system for the furnace of a locomotive boiler, means for varying the rate of supply of fuel to said furnace, means responsive to the pressure of the fluid in a chamber for conditioning said means to supply fuel only at a restricted rate, and means responsive to the rate of retardation of the vehicle for controlling the pressure of fluid in said chamber.

2. In a fuel supply system for the furnace of a locomotive boiler, a control member movable between spaced positions for varying the rate of supply of fuel to the furnace, an element having a normal position and being operable on movement therefrom to move the control member to the position to restrict the supply of fuel to the furnace, said control member being movable relative to said element when the element is in the normal position, means responsive to the rate of retardation of the locomotive for effecting movement of said element away from its normal position to thereby effect movement of the control member to restrict the supply of fuel to the furnace, and means operable when said element is in its normal position for moving the control member relative to the element to thereby vary the rate of supply of fuel to the furnace.

3. In a fuel supply system for the furnace of a locomotive boiler, a control member movable between spaced positions for varying the rate of supply of fuel to the furnace, means subject to the opposing pressures of the fluid in a chamber and of a spring, said means having a normal i position and being movable therefrom in response to variations in the pressure of the fluid in said chamber, said means being operable on movement from said normal position to move the control member to the position to restrict the supply of fuel to the furnace, and means responsive to the rate of retardation of the locomotive for controlling the pressure of fiuid in said chamber.

4. In a fuel supply system for the furnace of a locomotive boiler of the type having a wall normally covered with water on one side and exposed on the other side to the fire in said furnace, the water in the boiler being moved by the force of inertia away from said wall on a reduction in the speed of the locomotive at a predetermined rate, the fuel supply system comprising supply means for supplying fuel to said furnace, and means operable on a reduction in the.speed of the locomotive at a rate less rapid than said predetermined rate for restricting the rate of supply of fuel to the furnace by said supply means.

5. In a fuel supply system for the furnace of a locomotive boiler, a member movable between spaced positions for varying the rate of supply of fuel to the furnace, yieldingresistance means urging said member to the position to permit the supply of fuel to the furnace at a rapid rate, means subject to and operated on an increase in the pressure of the steam in the boiler for moving said member against said yielding resistance means to thereby reduce the rate of supply of fuel to the furnace, and means operated on a predetermined increase in the rate of retardation of the locomotive for also moving said member against said. yielding resistance means and thereby reducing the rate of supply of fuel to the furnace.

6. In a fuel supply system for the furnace of a locomotive boiler, a member movable between spaced positions for varying the rate of supply of fuel to the furnace, yielding resistance means urging said member to the position to permit the supply of fuel to the furnace at a rapid rate, means subject to and operated on an increase in the pressure of the steam in the boiler for moving said member against said yielding resistance means to thereby reduce the rate of supply of fuel to the furnace, and means operated on a predetermined increase in the rate of retardation of the locomotive for also moving said member against said yielding resistance means and thereby reducing the rate of supply of fuel to the furnace, said member being moved relative to the other of said means on movement of said member by one of said means.

SIDNEY G. DOWN. 

